Napoleon’s Battle Tactics

Evaluate: Napoleon was recognized as a great leader. He was feared by many and was known for his great battle tactics and strategies.

Main Points

About Napoleon

Battle tactics and strategies

Why did his strategies work so well?

What made Napoleon a great leader?

Why was he so feared?

About Napoleon

Napoleon Buonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, the capital of the island of Corsica. He was born into a middle class family. Napoleon was the 4th of eight children, however was only the second to survive. When he left home Napoleon entered the Paris military school of the Champ-de-Mars. He was appointed lieutenant of artillery after just one year. After graduation he was immediately assigned to the Regiment de la Fere of the Royal Corps of Artillery at Valence. This is where he really began to study military theories and develop his strategies that he is most famous for. Napoleon’s first battle as commander was on September 16,1973 in Toulon. He took the place of the commanding officer after he was injured in battle. Napoleon now put his many years of studying military tactics to use. His decision was to retake Toulon by way of an artillery strike on the fort of Eguillette. The injured commander told Napoleon to not enact this plan, however, he went above the acting commander’s head and did it anyway, and Toulon was recaptured: thus beginning Napoleon’s lustrous military career.

Battle tactics and strategies

Napoleon only lost six battles out of 34 from 1793-1815. His primary objective during this time was destruction of the opposing army rather than seizure of territory or a capitol city, which was more common during this time. Napoleon is know for his great memory, his ability to direct and coordinate his forces were impressive, due to the fact that ways of communication over long distances were nearly non existent during this time. Napoleon’s mode of operation was to have his army divided. The units consisted of members from infantry, cavalry and artillery. His concept was to have these groups travel separate but parallel routes. The lead unit would gather intelligence and report back any important information. This also was used to confuse the enemy on when the strike would happen. Napoleon’s army would eventually close up and form a quadrilateral around enemy forces. The first unit to strike would pin the enemy while the main unit would attack from its rear. Another method used by Napoleon was to have several units strike first and create a hole in the enemy’s army and then strike from behind when they were at their weakest. Napoleon had different methods for those armies that had superior numbers. His main objective when facing these opponents was to divide them into several parts and to gradually win over certain areas. He would then have his main force join the pinning force and finish off the job.

Why did his strategies work so well?

Napoleon benefited from learning strategies from before his time, then taking those strategies to the next level. For example on old French battle technique that was used before his time was to use fire to control a certain part of a country. Napoleon changed this strategy slightly by taking the troops and putting them in formations. These formations would push for the capitol city and create a hole through the town burning everything in their path, then he and his men would come from behind and finish off the job. Napoleon also benefited from the fact that his troops were far more professional and battle-hardened than those who led before him. This saved Napoleon time because he could focus more on tactics of battle then training of his men. Napoleon simply came up with the plan and his troops knew how to enact it. Napoleon was also extremely good at covering up any flaws that might exist in his army. If there was a week spot nobody else knew what it was.

What made Napoleon a great leader?

Napoleon knew how to exploit his victories and cover up his defeats better than anyone before him. This made it seem to the populous that he was a true tactician on the battle field. Napoleon was also very popular with his troops, they trusted him completely. This was because he put himself in the battle right along with the troops. He also gave the troops everything they needed, from food to weapons. The more he won on the battle field the more trust he gained from his troops and the general public. Napoleon was also considered a great leader because he was so well organized. Most armies at this time were just masses of troops working toward a single goal. Napoleon split his army into groups and organized them in formations so they could conquer an area faster. He then applied his strategies of divide and conquer and misdirection, which is when he really gained total support from his men.

Why was he so feared?

One example of Napoleon’s ruthlessness was during the 1795 National convention. The palace came under threat of attack by the Paris mobs. Napoleon ordered his men to take position with cannons and guns. Once the mob neared he ordered them to fire upon the mobs, and only few survived this massacre. Napoleon was feared by nearly every nation during his time mainly due to the fact that he was such a successful military leader and that his army was so powerful. His army would go into a country they were looking to take over, and upon accomplishing their task they would leave and not much would remain of the main cities.

Napoleon compared to Hitler

Both Napoleon and Hitler were feared by many during their times. There is no doubt Hitler was the more evil of the two, however they do have several resemblances that are inescapable. Both were foreigner’s in an adopted country and were self made Emperor’s. The were both considered saviors of their new countries as well. Both Hitler and Napoleon destroyed their military careers by trying to invade Russia. Napoleon’s famous threat to bury the world beneath his ruin was what Hitler later became feared for trying to do.

Summary

Napoleon was a great leader and an even better tactician on the battle field. Napoleon started young in his military career and started learning old battle techniques. Once Napoleon became commander he enacted the old strategies but with a few twists to make them more powerful. While other generals at the time were more focused on capturing land Napoleon was more worried about destroying the opposing military, and then taking the land. This is why he became so feared as well.

Recall Important information

Napoleon’s first battle as commander was on September 16,1973 in Toulon. Which began his military career.

Napoleon only lost six battles out of 34 from 1793-1815.

Napoleon knew how to exploit his victories and cover up his defeats better than anyone before him.

Napoleon benefited from the fact that his troops were far more professional and battle-hardened than those who led before him.

Napoleon’s famous threat to bury the world beneath his ruin was what Hitler later became feared for trying to do.

Conclusion

Napoleon is one of the most famous leaders to exist. Most people know about him or have at least heard of him. However most people don’t know why he is so famous. Napoleon spent much of his time in Military school and learned about strategies. Overtime he improved on these strategies to become a great general. Napoleon put fear into every opposing military that he faced and this was one of his greatest tools. Napoleon was truly one of the greatest military strategist to every grace this earth.

Works cited

Obstfeld, Raymond, and Loretta Obstfeld. Napoleon Bonaparte. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2001. Print.

Dwyer, Philip G. Napoleon and Europe. Harlow, England: Longman, 2001. Print.

http://www.historytoday.com/graham-goodlad/napoleon-war-secrets-success-or-seeds-failure